Implements for hydraulic drilling



Oct. 30, 1962 A. N. WELLS 3,061,022

IMPLEMENTS FOR HYDRAULIC DRILLING Filed Sept. 3, 1959 FIG.2

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A Hill INVENTOR. Arthur N.Wells United States atent Q 3,061,022 INIPLEMENTS FOR HYDRAULIC DRILLING Arthur N. Wells, P.O. Box 696, Belmont, Calif. Filed Sept. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 837,865 1 Claim. (Cl. 175-54) This invention relates in general to drilling or digging implements and pertains more particularly to such type of mechanism which operates as a result of hydraulic flow.

In drilling or digging hydraulically, usually the motive force which effects the drilling or digging is the body of water itself. The present invention, however, contemplates the utilization of the body of material being dug, as admixed with the water, as a digging or drilling agent.

It is, therefore, of primary concern in connection with this invention to provide a hydraulic drilling implement which has a nozzle end through which the water is discharged and which nozzle end also includes one or more inlets disposed laterally of the main flow of water so as to permit some of the discharged water in the region of the inlets to be drawn in through such inlets and recirculated in the main discharging stream of water or liquid, and which inlets will also permit earth or loose material which is being dug or drilled to also be drawn in along with the liquid through the inlet.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a nozzle discharge assembly for use in conjunction with a hydraulic drilling or digging implement in which there is an axial discharge of the Water through a portion of restricted area and with there being located immediately down-stream from this restricted portion openings extending laterally through the nozzle assembly and generally at right angles to the discharge therethrough so as to re-enter the discharge water mixed with loose material being drilled or dug into the discharge stream of the nozzle to introduce an abrading action into the drilling or digging operation and thereby enhance its efficiency.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an implement particularly well suited and adapted for hand digging operations such as in a garden or the like and it may be operated by an individual from a source of Water obtained through an ordinary garden hose.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claim hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claim, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the nozzle end of the implement shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating further details of construction thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom end elevational view of the nozzle assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken through a drill of generally conventional design incorporating the principles of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, reference numeral therein indicates generally an elongate tube or pipe having its upper end 11 externally threaded for connection to a valve indicated generally by the reference character 12. A nipple 13 extends from the valve and is provided with external threads by means of which the coupling 14 may be attached thereto and which is formed on one end of a hose 15. A handle assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 16 is provided which includes a central collar 17 surrounding the pipe 10 and having a set screw 18 projecting therethrough for engagement against the outer surface of the pipe and by means of which the handle assembly may be located conveniently at any point therealong. Extending radially from the collar 17 are diametrically disposed laterally projecting handle members 19 and 20 and by means of which the entire assembly may be grasped and manipulated.

The lower end 21 of the pipe is internally threaded for the reception therein of a nozzle means indicated generally by referenec character 22. The nozzle means 22 includes an externally threaded shank 23 which is threaded into the lower end of the pipe 10 and which has a restricted axial bore 24 therethrough. The lower end of the nozzle means 22 is provided with foot extensions 25 and 26 with notches 27 and 28 being provided therebetween, see particularly FIGS. 2 and 3.

The intermediate body portion of the nozzle means 22 immediately above the notches -27 and 28 is provided with diametrically opposed openings 30 and 31. It will be noted that the construction of the nozzle means is such that the diameter of the bore 24 is materially less than the interior diameter of the pipe 10 and is also less than the diameter of the chamber 35 immediately below the face 38 at the lower extremity of the bore 24.

In operation, it will be appreciated that the discharge of water through the nozzle means is axially thereof with the notches 27 and 28 providing discharge passages also. As the water is discharged into the soil, for example, it will mix therewith and form a mud and some of this mud will be re-entered into the nozzle means through the openinges 30 and 31 therein. This is due by virtue of the fact that pressure loss than the ambient pressure is induced in the region of the openings 30 and 31 by virtue of the sudden enlargement of the bore 24- at face 38 as the water enters chamber 35.

Thus the digging action is achieved not only by the conversion of kinetic energy of the water but also by the abrading effect achieved by the re-entrance of some mud into the nozzle means through the openings 30 and 31 thus increasing the overall efiiciency of the device. The feet 25 and 26 form initial points of penetration into the soil in conjunction with which the bit assembly shown is particularly well adapted and is generally intended.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the principles thereof will be seen to be utilized in conjunction with a generally conventional rock drilling bit indicated generally by the reference character 50. The bit may be of the rotary type having teeth 51 formed on the lower surface and the reference numeral 52 indicates a drill pipe connected to and carrying this bit and by means of which it is operated.

The pipe 52 may have a restricting member or block 53 located therewithin and presenting a restricting bore 54 and immediately below this block are openings 55 and 56 corresponding to the openings 30 and 31 previously described. In operation, the rock dust or chips are washed away by the water discharged through the pipe 52 and the mud thus formed, as it is generally called, is reentered into the stream of liquid discharged through the bit through the openings 55 and 56 to provide an additional abrading action enhancing the efficiency of the bit 50.

As a specific example, the nozzle means may be formed with a length of approximately three inches with a throat diameter of approximately of an inch and a discharge diameter of approximately inch. The lateral openings are preferably about inch diameter and are spaced from the face adjacent the throat by a distance of approximately inch. Such a nozzle is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with inch pipe. This type of nozzle utilized in conjunction with the "A; diameter pipe having a length of approximately 2 feet is admirably suited for gardening purposes. For example, the implement may be utilized for mulching.

The implement is also particularly Well adapted for loosening soil for fence post holes and may also be used to loosen soil for effecting removal of fence posts. It also effects the desired end results in a very rapid and efiicient manner and with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator.

I claim:

A hydraulic hand digging implement comprising a length of pipe, handle means adjustably secured to said pipe intermediate the ends thereof, means for connecting the pipe to a source of water under pressure, valve means connected with said pipe for controlling the flow of Water through said pipe, nozzle means mounted at one end of the pipe for discharging Water therethrough, said nozzle means having a restricted axial bore formed through the upstream end portion thereof, said nozzle means including a body portion extending in a downstream direction from said upstream portion thereof, said body portion being open at the terminal end thereof and defining a chamber immediately downstream of said axial bore of greater cross-sectional area than said axial bore, said body portion having laterally extending openings formed therethrough and being in communication with said chamber, said openings being disposed adjacent to and entirely downstream of said axial bore and spaced a substantial distance upstream from said terminal end of the nozzle means, whereby liquid passing through said axial bore enters said chamber and then passes outwardly through the open terminal end of said nozzle means, and liquid is drawn in through said lateral openings for recirculation through the terminal end of said nozzle means, the terminal end of said body portion including spaced longitudinally extending foot extensions defining notches therebetween.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 607,999 Latta July 26, 1898 716,062 Landry Dec. 16, 1902 2,072,627 Zublin Mar. 2, 1937 2,720,390 Brooks Oct. 11, 1955 2,761,651 Ledgerwood Sept. 4, 1956 2,807,442 Ledgerwood Sept. 24, 1957 2,809,013 Ledgerwood et al Oct. 8, 1957 2,868,509 Williams Jan. 13, 1959 

